Flight Safety Systems Software Test Engineer

Peraton; Fort Belvoir (VA); On-site; USD 104,000 - 166,000; Full time

Job summary

Peraton is seeking an Intermediate Software Test Engineer for Flight Safety Systems in Fort Belvoir, VA. You will test, validate, and integrate software tools for conjunction assessment, space object tracking, and ground threat deconfliction across legacy and next-gen FS platforms.

Responsibilities include test planning, validation in 24/7 operations, and collaboration with engineers and operators. Requires TS/SCI with polygraph; extensive space/astrodynamics testing experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI with adjudicated polygraph.
• 12+ years w/o a degree or 10+ years with AS/AA or 8+ years with BS/BA; or 6+ years with MS/MA; or 4+ years with Ph.D.
• 1+ years of experience with Flight Safety or astrodynamics test tools (e.g., STK, ASW SuperCombo), or STK Level 2 certification
• 2+ years of combined experience in space operations, conjunction assessment, or flight safety systems testing
• Understanding of orbital mechanics, conjunction analysis methods, and space domain awareness concepts
• Experience validating or testing systems involving RSO catalogs, ephemeris data, and orbital propagation models
• Ability to write and interpret Bash and Python scripts for test automation and data analysis
• Familiarity with national security space mission environments (e.g., NRO-related systems and workflows)

Responsibilities

• Support integration and verification testing of new data sources and software capabilities within legacy and next-generation FS systems
• Design, execute, and document software test plans, regression tests, and operational validation scenarios in test and pre-production environments
• Use Bash and Python scripts to support automated testing, data validation, troubleshooting, and system analysis in Linux-based classified environments
• Validate system performance by executing conjunction assessment and screening workflows, including RSO-to-RSO and RSO-to-ground proximity analysis
• Perform pre- and post-launch validation of TLEs, state vectors, and maneuver ephemeris data against cataloged RSOs to ensure collision risk mitigation logic is functioning correctly
• Operate and validate orbit propagation and analysis tools (e.g., STK or ASW-type systems), ensuring correct input handling, output accuracy, and reporting consistency
• Support defect identification, root cause analysis, and issue tracking for software anomalies discovered during test and operational use
• Participate in test readiness reviews, flight safety meetings, and operational training/exercise events
• Develop and maintain test documentation, validation reports, and user/training materials, and provide hands-on instruction (OJT) to team members
• Collaborate with engineers, operators, and external stakeholders to ensure system changes meet operational requirements and safety thresholds

Skills

Active TS/SCI clearance

Adjudicated polygraph

Tools

Bash scripting

Python scripting

Job description

Peraton is seeking an Intermediate Software Test Engineer for Flight Safety Systems in Fort Belvoir, VA. You will test, validate, and integrate software tools for conjunction assessment, space object tracking, and ground threat deconfliction across legacy and next-gen FS platforms.

Responsibilities include test planning, validation in 24/7 operations, and collaboration with engineers and operators. Requires TS/SCI with polygraph; extensive space/astrodynamics testing experience preferred.